Will Pucovski fails to advance Test case with second single-digit score as Tasmania sit in the box seat after two days' play
Match Report:
ScorecardHarris posts fifty but Tigers take upper hand
Incumbent Test opener Marcus Harris and Peter Handscomb both posted half-cenuturies but Will Pucovski fell cheaply for the second time in two days for Victoria as Tasmania took control in their Marsh Sheffield Shield match.
The highly-rated 21-year-old, touted as a Test debutant for Australia this summer, was out lbw to quick Gabe Bell for seven on Friday.
Will Pucovski has been dismissed for single figures for the second time in two days. Watch live: https://t.co/vwwZKuHPLw #SAvNSW #SheffieldShield pic.twitter.com/PUA9ONkBuz%E2%80%94 cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 1, 2019
Victoria wobbled to 6-162 at stumps on day two in Hobart for a lead of 63 runs.
It was the second bat for Pucovski in two days. He fell for three on Thursday after Victoria were sent in and skittled for 127 on a green-top.
Ball again dominated at Bellerive Oval, with 11 wickets falling across the three sessions.
While Pucovski's selection stocks took a hit, Harris hit a solid 60 before being caught in the deep pulling Riley Meredith.
Will Pucovski has been dismissed for single figures for the second time in two days. Watch live: https://t.co/vwwZKuHPLw #SAvNSW #SheffieldShield pic.twitter.com/PUA9ONkBuz%E2%80%94 cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 1, 2019
Harris shared a 90-run stand with skipper Peter Handscomb which looked like breathing some life into the Victorians' second innings.
But that ended when Handscomb (52) was bowled by the part-time spin of Beau Webster, sparking a collapse of 4-31.
Earlier, Matthew Wade top-scored for Tasmania with 69 before the Tigers were dismissed for 226 not long after lunch.
It was the first half-century of the Shield season for the Tasmania skipper, who has a lock on an Australia middle-order spot for the first Test against Pakistan on November 21.
Former Test quick Jackson Bird posted a handy 33, before removing Victoria opener Travis Dean with the new ball and finishing with 2-50.
Chris Tremain (4-45) was the best of the Victorian bowlers, with Scott Boland, Peter Siddle and Jon Holland grabbing two wickets each.
After smashing 69 off 68 balls in the first innings, Nic Maddinson only managed 22 in the second.
Tasmania will be hoping rain tipped for Saturday and Sunday stays away.
Tasmania XI: Matthew Wade (c), Alex Doolan, Beau Webster, Charlie Wakim, George Bailey, Caleb Jewell, Jake Doran (wk), Alex Pyecroft, Jackson Bird, Gabe Bell, Riley Meredith.
Victoria XI: Travis Dean, Marcus Harris, Will Pucovski, Peter Handscomb (c), Nic Maddinson, Matt Short, Sam Harper (wk), Chris Tremain, Peter Siddle, Scott Bolan, Jon Holland.
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